Internet Addiction Treatment
Addiction Treatment

The new Behavioural Addictions without Substance

At present days, the concept of addition is not exclusively related to the use of substances or drugs, such as opiates, alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines. It goes beyond traditional ways to include internet addiction or problematic use of internet or technologies. Do you need an internet addiction, gambling addiction, sex addiction or pornography addiction treatment?

The concept of addition is also associated with allegedly healthy and non-hazardous behaviours. These behaviours can become additive, depending on the strength, assiduity or amount of time and money one invest in carrying them out. It can seriously interfere with the person’s life. This is the case of internet use, sex, pornography, work, shopping, gambling, food, etc.

Factors that may increase risk of internet addiction are:

> Difficulty in facing the problems.

> Low self-esteem.

> Impulsivity.

> Intolerance to unpleasant physical or psychological stimuli, such as pain and sadness.

> Depressive mood or dysphoria.

> Search for strong feelings, increase predisposition and vulnerability for a person to develop an addiction.

A behaviour becomes addictive when the person:

> loses control of the beginning or end of the behaviour.

> develops an addiction

> disappears the interest in other activities that previously gave him/her pleasure, maintaining the behaviour, despite being aware of its negative consequences.

Different Types of Behavioural Addiction

There are still many people today who see behavioural addiction simply as an addiction. In fact, they constitute a disorder or mental disorder.

There are several types of behavioural addictions directly related to the obsessive need to be connected to the internet in its different modalities. Screen Addiction includes:

> smartphones and tablets.

> online game, online betting.

> videogames.

> cybersex, pornography.

> compulsive shopping online.

> cyberbullying.

> social networks.

Internet Addiction or Problem Use of the Internet

Technological development has revolutionized our way of being in the world.

Internet addiction is defined as an impulse-control disorder that does not involve an intoxicating substance. That is, the inability of a person to control their use of technology resulting in feelings of frustration and functional impairment of daily activities.

As a result of this massive access and fast progress of digital technologies, the way people use the Internet evolves to an “always online” mode. Laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart watches are among the most popular devices.

It is undeniable that technologies and the internet are part of our day-to-day life at a personal and / or professional level. On the one hand, they help us shorten distances. And to access information faster and have another mode of entertainment.

But, on the other hand, it has its drawbacks and can have a negative impact:

> in daily routines.

> in work performance.

> in family relationships.

> in emotional moods.

> in financially damaging levels e.g. of gambling.

According to several research studies, excessive use of the Internet – Online Casinos, Online Gambling, Video Games, Social Networking, Cybersex, Cyberbullying – is associated with low self-esteem, relationship difficulties with others and psychiatric disorders.

Although still considered a new behavioural disorder, common characteristics of the Internet Addiction with classic addiction models involving substances were identified.

> Attention qualified and personalized by a team of professionals in the areas of General Medicine, Psychiatry and Psychology.

> An integral and coordinated intervention from a multidisciplinary perspective in all the areas implicated in the complex problem of addictions, being the psychological accompaniment essential and fundamental.

The intervention focuses on impulse / control management, helping to achieve new learning processes with the goal of improving self-esteem, managing your emotions, and tools to prevent relapses and enhance your resources and capabilities. For international clients, the intervention is provided in English language.

The results of this self-test are not a reliable diagnosis of dependence and should be used only as a guide to understanding your drug use and the potential health problems involved. The information provided here should be complemented by a thorough evaluation by a health professional for advice on the type of treatment program.

Learn more about the scale of the problem in Portugal

The prevalence of gambling in Portugal is 65.7%, being higher in men and between 35-44 years. According to theSICAD 2017 Report, the prevalence is even higher in those who:

> holds an average level of education (2nd and 3rd cycle, and secondary).

> in those who work.

> in aggregates with gross monthly income of more than € 1,000.

On the other hand, 20% of young people use the Internet for gaming practices on a regular basis: at least 4 times in the last 7 days. It is more common in boys (39%) than in girls (5%). The online money game me 2% of young people, especially boys.

The Report stresses that there is a direct link between the prevalence of gambling, the more harmful consumption of alcohol and other substances. Former smokers have a higher prevalence of gambling.